Latching means for cigarette cases or the like



Sept. 12, 1933. R, DENELS 1,926,839

LATCHING MEANS FOR CIGARETTE CASES OR THE LIKE Filed Dec. 2, 1930 1?) INVENTOR Robert Denels BY W9 RNEY Patented Sept. 12, 1933" j wisest-Ares PATENT orries LA'roHiNG. MEANS FOR- OEGARE'TTE CASES QRTHE LIKE Robert Dene-ls, New York, N. Y. Assumed. December 2. 1930. Serial No. 499,457 .2 Claimsl' (01'. 292-228) The invention relates to cases or holders par ticularly adapted for enclosing cigarettes, powder, cosmetics ornumerous other small articles 7 Other objects and advantages will become apparent as this specification proceeds. Referring to the drawing forming a part thereof and in which a preferred form of the invention is illustrated: Figure l is a perspective view of the case; Figure 2 is a cross sectional view with the cover in its open position;

Figures 3 and 4 are enlarged fragmentary detail sectional views taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2; 1

Figure 3 being taken at the opposite corner of the case from Figure 2 and showing the catch in the position it would assume with thecover closed; and

Figure 4 showing the position of the catch when the cover is being opened;

Figures 5 and 6 are enlarged fragmentary detail sectional views taken on lines 5 5 and 6-6 respectively of Figure 2, the cover being in its be secured to the body portion of the case and the other end to the cover portion so that the pintle will be twisted when the cover is in its closed position and the tendency of the pintle to .untwist itself will cause the cover to spring open when the catches are released.

Special attention is now directed to the novel construction of the catches for maintianing the cover in its closed position. It will be noted two released; This spring hinge may be of any known type. As illustrated, one end of the hinge pintle' may catches are provided, one in conjunction-with each end wall of the case.

One of. the latch members 13 ofthe catches is particularly illustratedin Figure '7. Each latch member comprises a flat body portion 14 which projects through aperture 15 in the end walls of the body portion 10 of the case. a The flat portion '14 of the latch members are of a fairly substantial area, in order to be easily pressed by the thumb and finger of the user, and in the assembled case their outer faces are flush with i the outer surfaces of the end walls as shown inFigures l, 3, 4, 5 and 6.

The latch members are provided with means cooperating with the cover 'portion' 11 of the case to maintain the cover in its closed position.

In the present embodiment of the invention this means comprises ears 16 having openings 17.. Looking members or tongues 13 are carried by the cover portion and as particularly illustrated in Figures 3 and 5 the locking members or tongues 18 engage the openings 17 when the case is closed jections or offset portions 20 on their rear ends.

These projections 19 and 20 insure the latch. members maintaining their proper relation to the end walls of the case, so that the outer faces of the latch members will at all times be absolutely 5 flush withthe outer surfaces of the end walls. The offset portion 20 alsoacts in effect as a hinge when the latch members are being pressed inward to release the locking tongues 18 from the opening 1'7.

Simple means are provided for normally press-- ing' the latch members against the end walls; As illustrated, in the present embodiment of the invention, this means comprises fiat spring 21 bearing on the inner sides of the latch members between flanges 22 forward on the latch members. The other ends of the springs 21 are confined by yokes 23 which may be found integral with the end walls or brazed thereto. In this manner an exceedingly simple, neat and compact catch is formed. It is easily assembled and no rivets *or screws are necessary in its construction.

opened while in a pocket or purse and this is a most serious objection to a large number of cases in use at the present time. The catches being in unexposed positions are not apt to become injured or broken. A neat appearing case, useful for many purposes, simple and economical to construct, and most efficient in operation is thus provided.

Changes in details of construction and arrangements of parts as might be. made by one skilled in the art are to be considered as coming within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims. l

I claim 1. In latching means for a receptacle havingside walls, an elongated body member, co-planar with one of said side walls, the said body member having a peripheral flange and an inwardly-directed offset portion on the rear end thereof, a substantially short lug extending from the front of the elongated body member inwardly and being orificedto cooperate with: a tongue of the cover member of the said receptacle, spring means between the offset portion of the elongated body member and inner face of the side wall adapted to maintain the said body member in cooperative.

engagement with the sidewall whereby the said body member pivots about the cooperating portions when pressed inwardly of the side wall.

2. In latching means for a receptacle having side walls, anelongated body member co-planar with one of said side walls, the said body member having an inwardly-directed peripheral flange substantially throughout the length thereof, a substantially short lug extending inwardly ofi the forward and top portion of the said flange and being oriflced to cooperate with'a tongue of the cover member of the said receptacle, an inwardlydirected offset portion on the rear end of the said elongated body member, and spring means between the offset portion of the elongated body member and inner face of the side wall adapted to maintain the said body member in cooperative engagement with the side wall whereby the said body member pivots about the cooperating portio ns when pressed inwardly of the side wall.

ROBERT DENELS. 

